Minonokuni Knives

Minonokuni Sakura Damascus 210mm Kama-Usuba: The Art of Vegetable Mastery Experience the pinnacle of Japanese blade artistry and culinary precision with the Minonokuni Sakura Damascus 210mm Kama-Usuba. More than just a knife, this is a handcrafted masterpiece designed for the chef who demands unparalleled performance in vegetable preparation and appreciates the profound beauty of traditional Japanese craftsmanship. The "Sakura" (cherry blossom) motif, delicately integrated into its design, evokes the transient beauty of Japanese spring, making this knife a stunning centerpiece in any collection. The blade itself is a testament to the smith's skill, featuring a breathtaking Damascus pattern created by expertly forging and layering different steels around a core of ultra-pure Shirogami-Ko (White Paper Steel). This not only results in a unique, rippling aesthetic but also contributes to the blade's resilience and the core steel's legendary cutting performance. At its heart, the 210mm Kama-Usuba (sickle-shaped thin blade) is a specialist's tool. The "Kama" style, with its pointed tip, offers exceptional agility for intricate decorative cuts (kazari-giri), precise peeling (katsuramuki), and detailed vegetable work, setting it apart from the blunt-tipped Kanto-style Usuba. The traditional single-bevel edge, forged from Shirogami-Ko hardened to an impressive HRC 62, is ground to a scalpel-like sharpness. This allows for incredibly thin, clean slices that preserve the delicate cell structure of vegetables, enhancing their flavor and texture. Learn More

A union of traditional artistry and high-performance materials, the Minonokuni Sakura Usuba (SKU: Sakura-1615) is a precision tool crafted for the specialist. Its purpose is to perform meticulous vegetable work with unparalleled ease and accuracy. The Damascus Blade: The soul of this knife is its striking Shirogami-Ko Damascus blade. The construction features a core of high-purity Shirogami-ko (White Steel #1), a carbon steel revered by Japanese bladesmiths for its ability to achieve an incredibly sharp edge. This hard cutting core is protected by layers of softer steel forge-welded around it, creating the elegant, wave-like pattern characteristic of Damascus steel. This process provides the perfect blend of properties: the extreme sharpness of the Shirogami core with the added durability and resilience of the Damascus cladding. Hardened to a Rockwell Hardness of 60/62, the blade offers exceptional edge retention through rigorous use. The 210mm (8.3-inch) blade is ground to a traditional Urasuki Chisel profile—a single-bevel edge with a concave hollow on the back. This specialized grind is the key to creating razor-thin, clean slices while minimizing friction and preventing food from sticking.   Learn More

The Minonokuni Sakura 9.4 in. (240mm) Yanagi is a Kasumi style(two steels) traditionally forged knife using a Blue steel as the blade steel and a Damascus steel as the Jacket. This Yanagi adept at skinning smaller fish and precise sashimi work, use the weight of the blade to fillet fish with ease as well. The Blue steel used in this knife is prized for its edge retention properties, the handles on these Sakura knives are long and comfortable hexagonal shape handle made of red sandalwood, the ferrules are made of a black laminated wood.  Blade Width: 4.8 mm Blade Height: 30.3 mm Weight: 4.85 ounces Steel type: Blue (not stainless) Hadn Forged in Japan Learn More

The Minonokuni Sakura Yanagi is a masterclass in purpose-driven design, crafted specifically for the delicate art of slicing sushi and sashimi. This 210mm slicer combines traditional Japanese metallurgy with elegant materials to create a tool that offers both exceptional performance and aesthetic appeal. The Blade: Shirogami-ko Damascus The blade's construction is its most defining feature. At its core is Shirogami-ko (White Steel #1), a highly refined and pure carbon steel celebrated for its ability to achieve a phenomenally sharp edge. This allows for the cleanest possible cuts, preserving the delicate texture and flavor of raw fish. This razor-sharp core is protected by layers of steel that have been forge-welded to create a beautiful and unique Damascus pattern. This cladding adds durability and resilience to the hard Shirogami core. Hardened to a high Rockwell Hardness (approx. 60-62 HRC), the blade boasts superior edge retention. The blade features a traditional single-bevel Urasuki Chisel Grind. This geometry, with a hollow grind (urasuki) on the flat back side, is critical for performance. It minimizes drag as the knife passes through fish and helps each perfect slice to separate cleanly and effortlessly. At 210mm, this Yanagi is agile and perfectly suited for home use or for chefs working with smaller blocks of fish. The Handle: Red Sandalwood Providing balance and control is a handle made from rich, dense Red Sandalwood. Prized for its durability and deep, warm coloration, the traditional octagonal shape offers a comfortable and secure grip for the long, uninterrupted pull-cuts that define the Yanagi technique. Crafted in Japan, the Minonokuni Sakura Yanagi is a specialized instrument designed for those who seek perfection in every slice. Care Note: This blade is crafted from high-carbon Shirogami steel and is not stainless. To prevent corrosion, it must be hand-washed and dried completely immediately after use. A light coating of food-grade mineral oil is recommended for storage. Learn More

Minonokuni Gin-san 240mm Mioroshi Deba Learn More

Minonokuni Gin-san 195 mm Mioroshi Deba Learn More

Minonokuni Gin-san 180mm Mioroshi Deba Learn More

Minonokuni Gin-San 210mm Kama-Usuba Learn More

The Minonokuni Gin-San 180mm Kamagata Usuba is a traditionally hand-forged knife designed to cut vegetables either in hand or on the board. More versatile than the traditional square ended usuba, this knife has a pronounced tip that can be used to create precisely controlled or decorative cuts. Gin-san steel is a very unique material; it can be hammer forged using the ancient techniques of samurai swordmakers, but is a stainless steel. This material requires less care and maintenance that any traditional carbon steel knives so it is a great choice for anyone who prefers a low maintenance blade. At 180 mm this blade is long enough to cut most any fruit or vegetable without being too heavy or cumbersome. This knife is truly a work of art. It would make a great addition to any knife collection and is a fantastic choice for the home collector or working chef. If you prefer a longer blade this knife is also available in a 210mm length.  Learn More